It is not April 1st

[cuneus]

though I had to look:

MOTORISTS are set to be allowed to drive on hard shoulders to beat traffic jams.

The measure is expected to be introduced on many of the UK’s busiest motorways.

But experts last night condemned it as dangerous — and said it would block lanes used by emergency vehicles to reach crashes.

The move is aimed at improving traffic flow without spending millions on building extra lanes. A trial of the scheme will begin on an 11-mile stretch of the M42 south of Birmingham next month. It will cost £100million — compared to a £500million bill for an extra lane.

Sensors built into the road will tell a control centre when traffic is building up.

Digital screens across the motorway will then inform drivers they can use the hard shoulder. The screens will show a red cross when the lane is closed and a speed limit sign when open.

When the hard shoulder is in use the maximum speed limit across all lanes will be 50mph.

[gridgway]

it must be the end of emergency vehicles attending incidents surely?

[Davi]

so we finally have absolute proof that everything they do for us on the roads is in the name of safety

Cos afterall, it couldn't cause any complications at all having no safe haven for vehicals in trouble on roads that have no entry or exit slips for several miles at a time

And hell, why on earth would the emergency services need rapid response access to carriageways where impact speeds, though less frequent, are much more likely to result in serious injury?!

So glad the people in power are looking out for our best interests, yet again...

Edited by Davi on Thursday 31st August 08:57

[puggit]

They are talking about expanding from the M42 to the M4 in the Thames Valley.

Every 'rush hour' there are countless stranded vehicles and more often than not accidents on this stretch of road. Not worth the money converting the motorway!

[tigger1]

So it's official, we can compromise safety as long as it saves money?!

[BoRED S2upid]

This country is going to the dogs!.

Madness!.


Have you seen all the rubbish and debris in a hard shoulder, bricks, dead animals etc... You wouldn't want to be driving your brand new TVR through that lot.

Edited by BoRED S2upid on Thursday 31st August 09:17

[Davi]

tigger1 said:

So it's official, we can compromise safety as long as it saves money?!

Or makes money - they've covered this side already with the speed cams though.

[dickymint]

Sneaky way of decreasing the speed limit?

[Kinky]

Duplicate thread: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=302892